The theme that runs through the book of Ecclesiastes (though it might seem a bit
gloomy) is this: It doesn't matter if we're rich or poor, if we're popular or not.
No matter how much we accumulate in life, we are all going to die eventually, and
the people who come after us will take possession of what we have accumulated. In
the course of time, there will be nobody left on this planet who remembers us when
we were alive. Happy New Year!
But there's no need to despair. Our scripture lesson for today tells us that there
are appropriate times in our lives for everything. We can't control some of these
events, like our own births and deaths. Others are choices we make, such as when
to gather and when to give away; when to speak and when to remain silent.
Even when it doesn't seem like it, the balance of positive and negative experiences
in life is a gift from God. God has given us our lives to live. We can work, make
plans and set goals, but ultimately, God holds the cards. We can acquire wisdom
and wealth, but we can't fully know the mystery that is God.
The author of Ecclesiastes reminds us that we should strive to be content in the
time that is given to us. Even in the midst of trouble and worry, we are able to
look forward to the end of trouble and worry, because without them, we can't appreciate
the good times.
If nothing rips, there's no need to sew; unless we have mourned, laughter is not
so precious; only when we have known loneliness can we understand the power that
lies in an embrace.
What would the gift of life mean with out the accompanying gift of death? Without
death, life would lose its urgency and excitement.
Every day is a new beginning: a gift from God. This year, resolve to slow down a
little. We should each spend time with God in prayer and meditation to try to find
out who we are now and who God wants us to be. Every day, we can make the decision
to discern God's promises for us, and devoutly wait and work toward the fulfillment
of those promises.
The time is now.